Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine Second World War Bomber Command ‘Italy’ D.S.O. and gallantry M.B.E. group of nine awarded to Wing Commander E. B. R. Lockwood, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Commanding No. 614 (County of Glamorgan) Squadron

Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., reverse of the lower suspension dated 1945; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Italy Star; Defence & War Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (Act. Wg. Cdr., R.A.F.); Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R., 1st issue, with two additional long service bars (Act. Sqn. Ldr., R.A.F.V.R.); together with: Derbyshire Footbal Association, winners medal 1937-38, 9 carat gold and enamels; ‘Rotary Shield’ football medal 1932, silver with gold centre, named; R.L.S.S. bronze medal, named (Sept. 1935); and the recipient’s Path Finder Badge, good very fine or better (13) £4000-4500

D.S.O. London Gazette 21 August 1945. The following recommendation is taken from Air Ministry records: ‘Acting Wing Commander Edgar Bernard Richard Lockwood, M.B.E., R.A.F.V.R., No. 614 Squadron. Throughout a long and distinguished operational career, Wing Commander Lockwood has displayed outstanding leadership, great skill and unfailing devotion to duty. He has successfully directed six major night attacks against well defended targets. The results of his cool and accurate bombing directions when under fire, are reflected in the outstanding results achieved. In April, 1945, this officer directed a full scale night attack against the strongly held enemy line, south east of Bologna and only 2,000 yards in front of the Eighth Army troops. His careful planning and masterful control of the attack resulted in a highly successful bombing concentration and gave valuable support to the ground forces.’

M.B.E. London Gazette 30 October 1942: ‘Acting Flight Lieutenant, R.A.F.V.R. One night in July 1942, a Wellington aircraft returned from a cross-country flight with one engine defective. Whilst circling the aerodrome the faulty engine stopped and the pilot proceeded to make an emergency landing. As the flare path was already in use by another aircraft which was also landing, the pilot of the Wellington decided to land on the port side but in so doing he overshot the space available and ran into a building situated on the edge of the aerodrome. The aircraft and the building immediately caught fire. All the members of the crew wee thrown clear with the exception of the wireless operator/air gunner who was ejected onto the roof of the building which was soon burning fiercely. Flight Lieutenant Lockwood, displaying initiative and complete disregard for his own safety, made his way on to the roof by kicking out the window panes of a door. He found the injured airman and then carrying him in his arms, jumped from the roof only a few seconds before it collapsed. Flight Lieutenant Lockwood’s gallant action undoubtedly saved the airman’s life.’

Sold with further research including extracts from the Squadron Operations Record Book and several copied news cuttings.